Microsoft to launch Xbox Game Pass, a Netflix-style subscription service for games on Xbox One

Microsoft are to join PlayStation Now and EA Access in offering a Netflix style subscription service for games on Xbox One.

Xbox Game Pass will allow Xbox One owners to download an unlimited amount of games from a rolling catalogue of over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games in exchange for a £7.99/$9.99 monthly subscription fee. Much like Netflix's content, games will cycle in and out of the service, with players given the opportunity to purchase games they particularly like from within the service. And also like similar services, the catalogue will be made up of slightly older games rather than the newest titles. Early games confirmed for the service include Halo 5: Guardians, Saints Row IV, Mad Max, Lego Batman and Fable III.

The service will launch for Xbox One in the Spring, with Windows 10 to follow at a later date.

Unlike Netflix and PlayStation Now, however, you will download games to your console rather than streaming. In a post on Xbox Wire announcing the service, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said "One of the best things about Xbox Game Pass is that you can discover and download the full titles directly on your Xbox One. That means continuous, full-fidelity gameplay without having to worry about streaming, bandwidth or connectivity issues."

Spencer also confirmed that several third party publishers are on board with the service including 2K, 505 Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Codemasters, Deep Silver, SEGA, and Warner Bros. Notable absentees are EA, which has its own similar download service in the form of EA Access, and Activision.

The service is planned to launch for Windows 10 eventually too, but will roll out on Xbox One first. Members of the Xbox Insider preview program already have access to an early build with a limited catalogue, while the full service will launch for Xbox One in late Spring.

The service will be completely separate from the Xbox Live Gold subscription and will not affect the Games with Gold offers that roll around each month.